National Register of Historic Places listings in Lee County, Florida facts for kids

Welcome to Lee County, Florida! Did you know that this area is home to many special places that are super old and important? These places are listed on something called the National Register of Historic Places. It's like a special list kept by the United States government to make sure these historic spots are protected and remembered for a long time.

This article will tell you about some of the amazing buildings, areas, and even archaeological sites in Lee County that are on this list. There are 58 of them! Each one has a unique story to tell about Florida's past.

Contents: Counties in Florida   (non-linked contain no National Register listings)

Alachua - Baker - Bay - Bradford - Brevard - Broward - Calhoun - Charlotte - Citrus - Clay - Collier - Columbia - DeSoto - Dixie - Duval - Escambia - Flagler - Franklin - Gadsden - Gilchrist - Glades - Gulf - Hamilton - Hardee - Hendry - Hernando - Highlands - Hillsborough - Holmes - Indian River - Jackson - Jefferson - Lafayette - Lake - Lee - Leon - Levy - Liberty - Madison - Manatee - Marion - Martin - Miami-Dade (Miami) - Monroe - Nassau - Okaloosa - Okeechobee - Orange - Osceola - Palm Beach - Pasco - Pinellas - Polk - Putnam - St. Johns - St. Lucie - Santa Rosa - Sarasota - Seminole - Sumter - Suwannee - Taylor - Union - Volusia - Wakulla - Walton - Washington

Discovering Lee County's Historic Treasures

Lee County is full of cool historic spots, from old houses to lighthouses and even ancient Native American sites. Each place on the National Register of Historic Places has a special story about how people lived, worked, and built communities in the past. Let's explore some of these fascinating places!

Historic Homes and Buildings

Many of the listings are old homes or important buildings that show us what life was like long ago.

Alderman House

The Alderman House in Fort Myers was added to the list in 1988. It's a beautiful old house that stands as a reminder of the city's early days. Imagine what it was like to live there over a hundred years ago!

Casa Rio

Also in Fort Myers, Casa Rio joined the list in 1996. This house is part of a group of historic places in Lee County that are recognized together. It shows us the unique style of homes built in the area.

Gilmer Heitman House

The Gilmer Heitman House, listed in 1996, is another important home in Fort Myers. These old houses help us understand the history of architecture and family life in the region.

Jewett-Thompson House

The Jewett-Thompson House in Fort Myers was added to the list in 1988. It's another example of the beautiful and historic homes that make up the rich history of Lee County.

Murphy-Burroughs House

The Murphy-Burroughs House in Fort Myers, listed in 1984, is a significant part of the city's past. It's a great example of the kind of homes that were built when Fort Myers was growing.

William H. Towles House

The William H. Towles House in Fort Myers was added in 2008. It's a more recent addition to the list, showing that important history can be found in many different time periods.

Halstead and Emily Lindsley House

In Boca Grande, the Halstead and Emily Lindsley House became historic in 2011. This house tells a story about the people who lived in this charming island community.

Journey's End

Journey's End in Boca Grande, listed in 1985, is another beautiful historic home. It's located right on the beachfront, giving us a glimpse into the island's past.

Historic Schools

Several old schools in Lee County are also on the National Register, showing how important education has always been to these communities.

Alva Consolidated Schools

The Alva Consolidated Schools in Alva were listed in 1999. This school building played a big role in educating children in the Alva area for many years.

Bonita Springs School

The Bonita Springs School joined the list in 1999. It's a reminder of the early days of education in Bonita Springs.

Buckingham School

The Buckingham School in Buckingham was added in 1989. This school helped shape the lives of many students in the Buckingham community.

Paul Lawrence Dunbar School

The Paul Lawrence Dunbar School in Fort Myers, listed in 1992, is an important part of the city's history, especially for the African American community.

Edison Park Elementary School

Edison Park Elementary School in Fort Myers became historic in 1999. It's a great example of the school buildings from its time.

J. Colin English School

The J. Colin English School in North Fort Myers was listed in 1999. It served as an important educational center for students in that area.

Fort Myers Beach School

The Fort Myers Beach School was added to the list in 1999. This building holds many memories for the people who grew up on Fort Myers Beach.

Olga School

The Olga School in Olga, listed in 1995, is another historic school building that tells the story of education in smaller communities.

Sanibel Colored School

The Sanibel Colored School on Sanibel Island, listed in 1999, is a very important site. It represents the history of education for African American children on the island.

Tice Grammar School

The Tice Grammar School in Tice was added in 1999. This school building is a landmark in the Tice community.

Lighthouses and Coastal History

Lee County's coast has important lighthouses that helped guide ships safely.

Boca Grande Lighthouse

The Boca Grande Lighthouse on Gasparilla Island was listed in 1980. Lighthouses are super important for maritime history, helping sailors find their way.

Sanibel Island Light

The Sanibel Island Light and its Keeper's Quarters were added in 1974. This iconic lighthouse is a symbol of Sanibel Island and its rich history.

Unique Historic Districts and Sites

Some listings are entire districts or special sites that tell a bigger story.

Boca Grande Community Center

The Boca Grande Community Center was listed in 1995. Community centers are often the heart of a town, and this one has a long history of bringing people together.

Boca Grande Quarantine Station

The Boca Grande Quarantine Station, listed in 1996, is a unique site. Quarantine stations were places where people arriving by ship were checked for diseases before entering the country.

Cabbage Key Historic District

The Cabbage Key Historic District was added in 2015. This district is located on an island in Pine Island Sound and has a fascinating history.

Captiva School and Chapel-by-the-Sea Historic District

The Captiva School and Chapel-by-the-Sea Historic District was listed in 2013. This district includes both a historic school and a chapel, showing the early community life on Captiva Island.

Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railway Depot

The Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railway Depot in Boca Grande was listed in 1979. Train depots were once bustling hubs of activity, connecting towns and bringing goods and people.

Dean Park Historic Residential District

The Dean Park Historic Residential District in Fort Myers was added in 2013. This area is special because it has many old homes that show how Fort Myers grew.

Downtown Boca Grande Historic District

The Downtown Boca Grande Historic District was listed in 2011. This area includes many historic buildings that make up the charming downtown of Boca Grande.

Fort Myers Downtown Commercial District

The Fort Myers Downtown Commercial District was added in 1990. This district shows the historic heart of Fort Myers, where businesses and shops thrived long ago.

Gasparilla Inn Historic District

The Gasparilla Inn Historic District in Boca Grande was listed in 2008. The Gasparilla Inn is a famous old hotel that has hosted many visitors over the years.

First Baptist Church of Boca Grande

The First Baptist Church of Boca Grande was added in 2009. Historic churches are important landmarks in many communities.

Koreshan Unity Settlement Historic District

The Koreshan Unity Settlement Historic District in Estero was listed in 1976. This is a very unique site that was once home to a religious community called the Koreshans. They had their own special way of life!

Old Lee County Courthouse

The Old Lee County Courthouse in Fort Myers was added in 1989. Courthouses are important buildings where laws are made and justice is served.

Menge-Hansen Marine Ways

The Menge-Hansen Marine Ways in Fort Myers, listed in 2009, is a historic site related to boat building and repair. It shows the importance of the waterways to the area's economy.

Terry Park Ballfield

The Terry Park Ballfield in Fort Myers was listed in 1995. This historic baseball field has seen many games and is a cool piece of sports history!

Tween Waters Inn Historic District

The Tween Waters Inn Historic District in Captiva was added in 2011. This inn has been a popular spot for visitors to Captiva Island for a long time.

Whidden's Marina

Whidden's Marina in Boca Grande, listed in 2000, is a historic marina. Marinas are important for fishing and boating communities.

Thomas Edison and Henry Ford Estates

Did you know that famous inventors Thomas Edison and Henry Ford had winter homes in Fort Myers? Their estates are now historic sites!

Thomas Edison Estate

The Thomas Edison Estate in Fort Myers was listed in 1991. This is where the famous inventor Thomas Edison spent his winters, working on new ideas and enjoying the Florida sunshine.

Henry Ford Estate

The Henry Ford Estate in Fort Myers was added in 1988. Henry Ford, who invented the Model T car, was a good friend of Edison and also had a winter home right next door!

Ancient Archaeological Sites

Lee County also has very old archaeological sites that tell us about the Native American people who lived here thousands of years ago. These sites are protected because they contain important clues about ancient cultures.

Demere Key

Demere Key, off Pine Island, was listed in 1972. This is an archaeological site that holds secrets from ancient times.

Galt Island Archeological District

The Galt Island Archeological District near St. James City was added in 1996. This area contains important remains from past civilizations.

Josslyn Island Site

The Josslyn Island Site near Pineland was listed in 1978. This site is part of the "Archeological Resources of the Caloosahatchee Region," which means it's connected to many other important ancient sites in the area.

Mark Pardo Shellworks Site

The Mark Pardo Shellworks Site near Bokeelia was added in 1996. This site likely contains ancient shell mounds or tools made from shells, showing how early people used natural resources.

Pineland Archeological District

The Pineland Archeological District was listed in 1973. This is a very important area for understanding the ancient Calusa people who lived in Southwest Florida.

Mound Key Site

The Mound Key Site near Fort Myers Beach was added in 1970. Mound Key is an island made almost entirely of shells by the Calusa people, and it was likely their capital. It's a truly amazing place!

Useppa Island Site

The Useppa Island Site near Bokeelia was listed in 1996. Useppa Island has a long history of human activity, going back thousands of years.

Historic Fish Cabins

In the waters around Lee County, there are also historic fish cabins. These were small buildings used by fishermen long ago.

Fish Cabin at White Rock Shoals

The Fish Cabin at White Rock Shoals near St. James City was listed in 1991. These cabins were essential for the fishing industry.

Hendrickson Fish Cabin at Captiva Rocks

The Hendrickson Fish Cabin at Captiva Rocks near Bokeelia was added in 1991. It's one of several fish cabins in the area.

Ice House at Captiva Rocks

The Ice House at Captiva Rocks near Bokeelia was listed in 1991. Ice houses were crucial for keeping fish fresh before refrigeration was common.

Ice House at Point Blanco

The Ice House at Point Blanco near Bokeelia was added in 1991. Another example of how important ice was for the fishing industry.

Larsen Fish Cabin at Captiva Rocks

The Larsen Fish Cabin at Captiva Rocks near Bokeelia was listed in 1991. These cabins are a unique part of Florida's fishing heritage.

Leneer Fish Cabin at Captiva Rocks

The Leneer Fish Cabin at Captiva Rocks near Bokeelia was added in 1991. Each cabin has its own story from the past.

Norton Fish Cabin at Captiva Rocks

The Norton Fish Cabin at Captiva Rocks near Bokeelia was listed in 1991. These cabins show us how tough and resourceful early fishermen were.

Punta Gorda Fish Company Cabin

The Punta Gorda Fish Company Cabin near Bokeelia was added in 2003. This cabin was part of a larger fishing operation.

Punta Gorda Fish Company Ice House

The Punta Gorda Fish Company Ice House on North Captiva Island was listed in 1989. This larger ice house supported the fishing industry in the area.

Whidden Fish Cabin at Captiva Rocks

The Whidden Fish Cabin at Captiva Rocks near Bokeelia was listed in 1991. This cabin is another piece of the rich fishing history of Lee County.

Why Are These Places Important?

These historic places are like windows into the past. They help us learn about:

• How people lived: What their homes looked like, how they worked, and what their communities were like.
• Important events: Some places are tied to big moments in history.
• Different cultures: From ancient Native Americans to early settlers and famous inventors.
• Architecture: The unique styles of buildings from different time periods.

By protecting these sites, we make sure that future generations can also learn from and enjoy the history of Lee County.